Shloka 13
ऋषिसमागमः — युधिष्ठिरस्य शोकवर्णनम्
Sage Assembly and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Articulation of Grief
युधिछिर उवाच विजितेयं मही कृत्स्ना कृष्णबाहुबलाश्रयात् । ब्राह्मणानां प्रसादेन भीमार्जुनबलेन च
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
vijiteyaṁ mahī kṛtsnā kṛṣṇa-bāhu-bala-āśrayāt |
brāhmaṇānāṁ prasādena bhīmārjuna-balena ca ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “This entire earth has been conquered by taking refuge in the strength of Kṛṣṇa’s arms; by the gracious favor of the Brāhmaṇas; and by the might of Bhīma and Arjuna as well.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yudhiṣṭhira frames political success as dependent not merely on personal prowess but on rightful support: divine protection (Kṛṣṇa), moral-spiritual sanction (Brāhmaṇas’ prasāda), and disciplined heroic effort (Bhīma and Arjuna). The ethical emphasis is humility and recognition of dharmic sources of legitimacy.
In the opening of Śānti Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the outcome of the great conflict and the acquisition of sovereignty. He attributes the conquest of the whole earth to Kṛṣṇa’s support, the blessing of the Brāhmaṇas, and the martial strength of his brothers—setting a tone of introspection rather than triumphalism.